Building expertise starts by investing in people. Our culture combines the strength of a family-founded business with the structure of a specialist, professional national contractor. Through our apprenticeship programmes, we’re equipping the next generation with the skills they need to become the specialists capable of delivering in challenging environments that we are known for.
Meet Albie
Albie, our Mechanical Apprentice, is just one example of our commitment to mentoring young individuals. Currently working towards a three-year Level 3 Land-Based Engineering qualification, he splits his time between college and our headquarters in Canterbury, combining classroom learning with real, hands-on experience on site.
From day one, Albie has taken on meaningful responsibility. He plays an active role in carrying out daily mechanical checks across a range of plant, helping ensure machinery is safe, compliant and ready for the day’s shift.
What does his day-to-day look like?
“I start at 7am with a morning briefing. We go through the jobs for the day, any servicing needed and information on the machines. Everything is logged on an iPad using the CheckProof app, so managers can track progress and we can request parts if needed. We usually finish around 5-5:30pm”
Alongside his day-to-day work, his apprenticeship includes block learning at college, typically three to four weeks at a time, before returning to site to apply what he’s learnt. He’s given practical tasks such as transmission repairs that he then must document with photos as part of his coursework. Assessors also regularly review his progress to support his development. During skills weeks, Albie and his classmates can request additional training in areas they want to strengthen or master.
Learning on the job
Since joining us, his confidence has visibly grown. He’s been taking on more maintenance work across the fleet, getting hands-on with repairs and developing practical skills, such as welding. Albie says his problem-solving has improved the most:
“When you’re on site, you don’t always have the exact part you need. You have to think on your feet and find a way to get the machine up and running again.”
This ability to adapt and respond quickly is critical on site, and it is something Albie is developing every day. Thanks to this exposure to real-world challenges, he is building a strong foundation that goes far beyond the pages of a textbook.
The future ahead
When asked about the future, Albie sees himself continuing to grow with us as he learns more about specific plant and gains more experience on site.
But technical skills are only part of the story. Working alongside experienced engineers and operators, Albie has also developed stronger communication skills and the confidence to ask questions and contribute as part of a team. That progression is shaped by the people around him: individuals who have grown with the company and remain personally invested in its future.
His journey reflects our approach towards people, creating opportunities for them to grow and build long-term careers with us. Long service at OEC is not just loyalty; it reflects an environment where people are valued, developed and trusted with real responsibility. We’re focused on the next generation, not just the next quarter, supporting our team to develop their skills and progress within the business.
For Albie, this is just the beginning. For us, it’s another vital step in building a skilled, capable workforce for the future.
